1
as in misleading
tending or having power to deceive
in his deceptive answer about the vehicle's history, the salesman said that the used car had never been hit by another car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
a mail-order firm indicted for deceptive business practices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deceptive
The legal claims included negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices, and product liability.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The mayor said the executive order is designed to put businesses that use deceptive practices on notice.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Federal Trade Commission had sued Match for deceptive advertising practices involving the dating apps’ online cancellation processes.
—Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
In fact, the instantly-recognizable print is often considered a neutral by fashion people for its deceptive wearability.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
The mayor said the executive order is designed to put businesses that use deceptive practices on notice.
—Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Federal Trade Commission had sued Match for deceptive advertising practices involving the dating apps’ online cancellation processes.
—Mark Curriden, Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
In fact, the instantly-recognizable print is often considered a neutral by fashion people for its deceptive wearability.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deceptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deceptive
Adjective
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Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
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For its misleading omissions, the Times story deserves a flunking grade.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ghost sued Wilson for defamation, leading to a countersuit accusing Ghost, Gregory Cameron, and Vince Holden of breach of contract, false imprisonment, fraudulent inducement, and infliction of emotional distress.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Jan. 2026
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The bottom line Disputing collections debt is your legal right and often your best financial move when accounts are inaccurate, fraudulent or legally unenforceable.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Plants that provide winter interest, including sedums, goldenrod, blue false indigo, and ornamental grasses.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Today’s teenagers can produce a TikTok video in minutes, but how many of them will learn to analyze the president’s false claim that Tylenol causes autism?—
Mary Ellen Klas,
Twin Cities,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Hikers dip into shady trails lined with thick brush, a favorite path being the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which offers a rare peek into the ecosystems—both minuscule and massive—within the swampy marshland.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
13 Jan. 2026
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In several cases, devices sold as simple media streamers appear to quietly turn your home internet connection into part of larger networks used for shady online activity.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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By contrast, Farmer’s book editor Davis is charming and ebullient, but also vain, dishonest, overtly macho and misogynistic.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Within hours lies were flowing, predictably from a lawless and untrustworthy president and his dishonest DHS secretary, who blamed the victim in direct contradiction of video evidence.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Willms plans to call the Bureau of Land Management — the agency that oversees these parcels of federal land — to report the crooked stake.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
7 Jan. 2026
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Begin by removing any suckers at the base of the tree, side shoots on the trunk, crossing or crooked branches, dead or damaged branches, those that are growing inward, and crowded branches.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deceptive. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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